Andy Farrell has put down six seasons in charge of Ireland, but none of the previous five have had such a disparity between the highs and the lows.

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi accused England of showing a "lack of respect" after storming out of his press conference following the Pumas' 31-24 defeat in Santiago del Estero.

Pretty early on at Eden Park, you got the feeling it was going to be one of those nights on Saturday.

Dan Sheehan insists Ireland can close the gap between themselves and the best sides in the world before next year's World Cup, although he admits improvements are needed.

Australia produced a brilliant performance as they clinched their first victory of the Nations Championship with a crushing 57-10 win over winless Italy in Joe Schmidt's last game in charge.

Andy Farrell was left to lament "uncharacteristic" errors from his Ireland side as they fell to a 19-point defeat to New Zealand in Auckland.

Ireland were made to pay for a litany of first half errors as they fell to a 40-21 defeat to New Zealand, signing off the season with a disappointing performance in Auckland.

Like everyone in international rugby, Tadhg Furlong has never beaten New Zealand at Eden Park, but he does know what it's like to come away from Auckland without losing.

A sloppy Ireland go down 40-21 to the All Blacks in Eden Park, Auckland.

Just over eight months on from starting the international season against New Zealand, Ireland finish it against the same opposition.

Dan Sheehan says Ireland will make sure to empty their tank against New Zealand in Auckland, as they look to finish their season on an almighty high.

Recent history suggests Ireland have delivered their best performances at the end of exhausting seasons, says Donal Lenihan.

Ireland finish their season with a blockbuster clash against New Zealand in Eden Park - find out all you need to know here.

England have been forced to change hotel in Buenos Aires on Sunday night to avoid being caught up in any celebrations should Argentina win the World Cup.

Andy Farrell is confident his side have saved their best performance for last, as their season draws to a close in Auckland this weekend.

It's been interesting to see two very different approaches from the Ireland and New Zealand camps this week.

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has been handed a two-match suspension for comments he made following his side's defeat by New Zealand last week, World Rugby said.

New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to his side for Saturday's meeting with Ireland in Auckland, with the All Blacks coach moving Tupou Vaa'i to the back row in a bid to beef up his pack.

Andy Farrell says he had to back the form of Jimmy O'Brien, after the Leinster wing won the race for Ireland's 11 shirt against New Zealand.

Given his history of picking up the wrong injury at the wrong time, it felt like a hammer blow for Rob Baloucoune just under two weeks ago when it was confirmed he would be ruled out of the opening Nations Championship clash with Australia.

Rob Baloucoune has been passed fit to start Saturday's Nations Championship meeting with New Zealand in Auckland, with Jamie Osborne the unlucky one to miss out on Ireland's clash with the All Blacks.

Former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman pointed towards a lack of "lineout gurus" as one of the reasons for Ireland's set-piece woes in Saturday's win over Japan in Newcastle.

Ahead of the All Blacks Test in Auckland Hugh Cahill is joined by Bernard Jackman in studio, with Neil Treacy dialling in from New Zealand.

Jamison Gibson-Park believes Ireland are now in a better place to take on New Zealand, as they look to end a run of three successive defeats to the All Blacks.

With attacking rugby thriving in the Nations Championship, Ireland assistant coach Andrew Goodman explains how the game has changed in the last 12 months, and gives his take on where Ireland's offence is at.

Ireland are reporting a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday's crucial Test against New Zealand, with Rob Baloucoune and Jeremy Loughman both set to be fit for the final Nations Championship game this summer.

Ireland survived an almighty scare from Fiji at the Junior World Championship in Kutaisi, Georgia, to claim their second win of the tournament.

There are positives from Ireland's victory over Japan on Saturday. Interestingly, very few of them relate to improved performance, cohesion or attacking fluency

It's quite the coincidence for Rieko Ioane to be called into the squad this week, with the 88-cap centre drafted into the group as injury cover.

In his own words, last week was the "best" of Sean Jansen's life. The big question now is whether the New Zealand native has done enough to earn a second cap at Eden Park this week, where Ireland's hosts haven't lost for 32 years.

Sam Illo says he always believed he would be good enough to play for Ireland, even if he kept that dream quiet in the early stages of his career.

Andy Farrell believes Ireland are facing into the toughest challenge in Test rugby this weekend as they look to end New Zealand's 32-year unbeaten run at Eden Park in Auckland.

From the third tier of the All-Ireland League to Test rugby, it's been a formative eight months for Billy Bohan.

Bryn Ward, who turns 22 next week, capped off a breakout season with his province by coming off the bench against Japan in Newcastle, helping Ireland see out a 36-20 bonus-point win in the Nations Championship.

Scotland produced another big performance against top-tier opposition but their wait for a first-ever win in South Africa continues after they went down 42-28 to the double world champions in a thrilling Nations Championship showdown in Pretoria.

Andy Farrell said Ireland's 36-20 win against Japan was "a good night at the office", although the Ireland head coach admitted he was "relieved" to escape Newcastle with a bonus-point win against Japan.

It's two bonus-point wins from two for Ireland in the Nations Championship as they wore down a spirited Japan in Newcastle, New South Wales.

Winger Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang scored a brace of tries on test debut as France came from behind to crush Australia 42-26 in ⁠their Nations Championship match in Brisbane on Saturday.

Ireland take on Japan in their second Nations Championship game.

Will Jordan scored a hat-trick and became New Zealand's all-time leading try-scorer in their 47-17 victory over Italy in the Nations Championship in Wellington.

Hat-tricks from Henry Pollock and Will Jordan helped England and New Zealand to big wins in round two of the Nations Championship, as Argentina proved too strong for Wales.

Last season's Champions Cup runners-up Leinster begin their search for a fifth title away at ASM Clermont Auvergne on 17 October.

Neil Treacy previews the Nations Championship meeting with Japan in Australia, as Ireland's wider squad players are given their opportunity to impress.

Argentina, Australia and England are all looking for their first wins in the new Nations Championship this Saturday after defeat on the opening weekend, while Scotland will be hoping for a breakthrough triumph.

Ireland take on Japan in Newcastle, Australia in the second of their Nations Championship summer fixtures. Find out all you need to know here.

Tadhg Beirne says it will be a "special moment" when he leads Ireland out for the first time, in tomorrow's Nations Championship meeting with Japan.

It's rare to see a player sign a contract extension so early, but after a Six Nations campaign where he established himself as one of Ireland's kley players, and was nominated for Player of the Championship, Stuart McCloskey decided to strike while the iron was hot.

Andy Farrell's nine changes and four debutants to face Japan has come as welcome news as Ireland look to build strength-in-depth.

Ciarán Frawley will win his 14th Ireland cap in Saturday's Nations Championship meeting with Japan, but just his second start, and his first at out-half.

Munster have today confirmed the signing of former England international tighthead prop Kieran Brookes on a two-year-deal from Top14 side Perpignan.